Sam Morgan: Trade Me Founder, Investor and Philanthropist

Introduction

Sam Morgan is a New Zealand entrepreneur, technology investor and philanthropist. He is best known for founding Trade Me, one of New Zealand’s largest online marketplaces.

Morgan launched Trade Me in 1999 when he was 23 years old. The company grew into a popular platform for buying and selling products, cars, property, jobs and services.

In 2006, Fairfax Media purchased Trade Me for NZ$700 million. Morgan remained involved for a short period before leaving the chief executive position in 2008.

As of July 2026, Sam Morgan is the Founder and Chair of Jasmine Social Investments and a Director of Lodestone Energy. He also supports technology companies, social organisations and renewable-energy projects.

Sam Morgan Quick Facts

Fact	Verified information
Full name	Sam Morgan
Birth year	1975
Nationality	New Zealander
Profession	Entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist
Best known for	Founding Trade Me
Trade Me launch year	1999
Trade Me sale	NZ$700 million in 2006
Current main role	Founder and Chair of Jasmine Social Investments
Other current role	Director of Lodestone Energy
Major recognition	Flying Kiwi and New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame inductee

Who Is Sam Morgan?

Sam Morgan is one of New Zealand’s most recognised technology entrepreneurs.

He became widely known after creating Trade Me, an online platform that allowed New Zealanders to buy and sell goods more easily.

Before Trade Me, people often depended on newspaper classified advertisements. These advertisements could be slow, limited and difficult to update.

Morgan understood that the internet could connect buyers and sellers more quickly. His idea helped change how people in New Zealand bought products, searched for jobs and advertised houses or vehicles.

Sam Morgan’s Early Career and Education

Morgan started his professional career at Deloitte Consulting.

His official Jasmine Social Investments profile states that he did not complete a tertiary qualification.

Instead, Morgan developed much of his business and technology knowledge through practical work and experience.

His career shows that a person can build a successful company by understanding a real problem, creating a useful solution and continuing to improve it.

How Sam Morgan Created Trade Me

The idea for Trade Me reportedly began when Morgan was trying to buy a heater for his cold Wellington flat.

The existing classified-advertising process was frustrating. Products could already be sold before buyers received updated information.

Morgan realised that an internet marketplace could provide faster and clearer information.

He began developing a website where people could list products, place bids and communicate online.

Trade Me was officially launched in 1999.

The platform started as a small online auction website, but it later became one of New Zealand’s most important digital businesses.

Readers can explore the official history of Trade Me to learn more about the company’s major milestones.

How Trade Me Became Successful

Trade Me did not become successful overnight.

The company started with a small team and limited funding. Morgan and his early employees had to convince people that buying and selling products online could be safe and useful.

The platform grew because it was designed for people in New Zealand.

It understood local trading habits, language, communities and customer needs.

As more sellers joined the website, more buyers started using it. As the number of buyers increased, more people wanted to list their products.

Trade Me later expanded into several areas, including:

• General products
• Cars and other vehicles
• Houses and rental properties
• Employment advertisements
• Holiday accommodation
• Business services
• Collectables
• Second-hand goods

Trade Me became much more than an auction website. It developed into a major marketplace and classified-advertising platform.

The NZ$700 Million Trade Me Sale

Fairfax Media purchased Trade Me in 2006 for NZ$700 million.

The sale happened only seven years after Morgan launched the platform.

It became one of the most important technology deals in New Zealand’s business history.

However, the NZ$700 million figure represented the purchase price of the company. It should not automatically be described as Morgan’s personal income or current net worth.

Morgan continued working as Trade Me’s chief executive after the sale.

In 2008, he handed the chief executive position to Jon Macdonald and moved towards investment, company governance and philanthropy.

Is Sam Morgan Still Involved With Trade Me?

Sam Morgan is no longer Trade Me’s chief executive and does not manage its daily operations.

His main connection to Trade Me is as its founder.

He created the original platform, built its early team and led the business through its most important growth period.

Trade Me continued operating and developing under later executives and owners.

Today, Morgan’s public work is mainly connected to technology investment, renewable energy and social organisations.

Sam Morgan’s Investment in Xero

After Trade Me, Morgan became involved with other New Zealand technology companies.

He was an early investor in Xero, the cloud-accounting software company founded by Rod Drury.

Morgan also served on Xero’s board for approximately ten years.

Xero later became one of New Zealand’s most internationally recognised software companies.

Morgan’s involvement showed that he was interested in supporting other technology founders after building Trade Me.

His career can be compared with other major New Zealand business leaders, including Stephen Tindall, who also moved from building a successful company into investment and philanthropy.

Sam Morgan and Vend

Morgan also served as a director of Vend for six years.

Vend created cloud-based point-of-sale and retail-management software for businesses.

Morgan remained a director until the company was sold in 2021.

His role allowed him to use his experience from Trade Me to support another growing New Zealand technology company.

Readers interested in modern New Zealand entrepreneurs can also explore the career of Anna Mowbray, who has worked across business, technology and professional sport.

Jasmine Social Investments

Morgan established Jasmine Social Investments after the Trade Me sale.

As of July 2026, he is the organisation’s Founder and Chair.

Jasmine supports social entrepreneurs and organisations working to solve serious problems connected to poverty.

Its main areas of interest include:

• Health
• Education
• Better livelihoods
• Environmental sustainability
• Access to essential services

Jasmine works internationally, with much of its activity focused on Africa and South Asia.

The organisation searches for projects that can produce measurable results and reach large numbers of people.

More information about Morgan’s role and the organisation’s work is available through the official Jasmine Social Investments website.

How Jasmine Social Investments Works

Jasmine carefully studies an organisation before providing financial support.

Its team examines:

• Leadership
• Governance
• Financial records
• Evidence of success
• Future plans
• Operating results
• Ability to grow

Jasmine looks for organisations that have a clear solution to an important problem.

Most of its support is provided through grants. However, the organisation may sometimes use equity or debt.

Jasmine also provides unrestricted and long-term funding when it believes an organisation can continue producing strong results.

Unrestricted funding gives an organisation more freedom to use money where it is most needed.

Sam Morgan and Lodestone Energy

Sam Morgan is also a Director of Lodestone Energy.

Lodestone develops solar-energy projects in New Zealand.

The company aims to increase the amount of electricity produced from renewable sources and make solar power more widely available to homes and businesses.

Morgan was previously described as a significant shareholder and board adviser.

His involvement with Lodestone connects his investment career with renewable energy and environmental technology.

What Does Sam Morgan Do Now?

As of July 2026, Sam Morgan’s main publicly confirmed roles include:

• Founder and Chair of Jasmine Social Investments
• Director of Lodestone Energy
• Investor in software companies
• Supporter of social enterprises
• Adviser to growing organisations

Morgan is not currently running Trade Me.

His present work focuses on selecting investments, supporting businesses and helping social organisations grow.

Sam Morgan’s Family Background

Sam Morgan is the son of New Zealand economist and businessman Gareth Morgan.

Members of the Morgan family were involved in Trade Me’s early development.

His sister, Jessi Morgan, joined the early Trade Me team and helped manage company operations.

Family support played a role during the company’s early period, but Sam Morgan remained Trade Me’s founder and main public leader.

Sam Morgan’s Awards and Recognition

Morgan was named a Flying Kiwi in 2016.

The Flying Kiwi award is connected to the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards.

It recognises people who have made a lasting contribution to New Zealand’s technology industry.

The honour placed Morgan in the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame.

It recognised his work as the founder of Trade Me, an investor and a supporter of technology and social organisations.

Why Sam Morgan’s Career Is Important

Sam Morgan’s career is important because he helped shape New Zealand’s internet-business industry.

He solved a real problem

Trade Me addressed a clear need.

New Zealanders wanted a faster and simpler way to buy, sell and advertise products.

He built a platform for local users

Trade Me understood the needs of New Zealand customers.

This helped the company compete against larger international businesses.

He supported other technology companies

After Trade Me, Morgan used his experience to help companies such as Xero and Vend.

He invested in social solutions

Through Jasmine Social Investments, Morgan supports organisations working in health, education, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.

He became involved in renewable energy

His work with Lodestone Energy connects him to New Zealand’s growing solar-power industry.

Verified Interesting Facts About Sam Morgan

• Sam Morgan was born in 1975.
• He began his career at Deloitte Consulting.
• A difficult search for a heater helped inspire Trade Me.
• He launched Trade Me in 1999.
• He was 23 when the platform was launched.
• Fairfax Media bought Trade Me for NZ$700 million in 2006.
• Morgan left the Trade Me chief executive position in 2008.
• He was an early investor in Xero.
• He served on Xero’s board for approximately ten years.
• He served as a Vend director for six years.
• He founded Jasmine Social Investments.
• He became a Flying Kiwi in 2016.
• He is involved in renewable energy through Lodestone Energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sam Morgan?

Sam Morgan is a New Zealand entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is best known for founding Trade Me in 1999.

Why is Sam Morgan famous?

He is famous for creating Trade Me and developing it into one of New Zealand’s most important online marketplaces.

When was Sam Morgan born?

Public records confirm that Sam Morgan was born in 1975.

How old was Sam Morgan when he founded Trade Me?

Morgan was 23 years old when he launched Trade Me in 1999.

How much was Trade Me sold for?

Fairfax Media purchased Trade Me for NZ$700 million in 2006.

Does Sam Morgan still own Trade Me?

No. Trade Me was sold to Fairfax Media in 2006. Morgan later left the chief executive position in 2008.

What does Sam Morgan do now?

As of July 2026, Morgan is the Founder and Chair of Jasmine Social Investments and a Director of Lodestone Energy.

Did Sam Morgan invest in Xero?

Yes. Morgan was an early investor in Xero and served on its board for approximately ten years.

What is Jasmine Social Investments?

Jasmine Social Investments is an organisation founded by Morgan. It supports social ventures working in health, education, poverty reduction, livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

Is Sam Morgan related to Gareth Morgan?

Yes. Sam Morgan is the son of New Zealand economist and businessman Gareth Morgan.

Did Sam Morgan complete university?

His official Jasmine profile states that he did not complete a tertiary qualification.

Is Sam Morgan still the CEO of Trade Me?

No. Morgan handed the Trade Me chief executive position to Jon Macdonald in 2008.

Conclusion

Sam Morgan changed New Zealand’s digital-business industry by founding Trade Me.

The company succeeded because it solved a real local problem and provided a simple way for people to buy, sell and advertise online.

Its NZ$700 million sale in 2006 became one of the defining deals in New Zealand’s early internet economy.

Morgan later moved away from daily company management and became involved in technology investment, philanthropy and renewable energy.

He supported companies such as Xero and Vend, established Jasmine Social Investments and became a director of Lodestone Energy.

His story shows how one useful idea can grow into a major company and how business experience can later be used to support technology, communities and social organisations.